Paris is accelerating its rearmament. Macron: I have decided on a new aircraft carrier

I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier, said French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, speaking to French troops stationed in the United Arab Emirates. The French leader participates there with his soldiers in Christmas celebrations.

“I have decided to equip France with a new aircraft carrier,” Macron said. He added that the decision to implement this very large program was made this week.” He also announced that the construction will be carried out with the large participation of medium and small French companies, which is intended to help them in the difficult economic situation in the country.

The French leader also met the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with whom he was to talk, among others, on cooperation in the arms sector. The United Arab Emirates this year placed an order for 80 Rafale fighters, manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation.

The AFP agency noted that Macron's visit to the UAE is also related to France's fight against drug trafficking. There is a French naval base off the coast of the UAE, from which missions to fight drug traffickers are to be carried out.

The aircraft carrier, the construction of which was announced by Macron, is to replace the existing ship Charles De Gaulle, which entered service in the 1970s. According to an expert from BFMTV television, the new aircraft carrier is to be built in the Saint-Nazaire shipyard. The ship is planned to enter service in 2038.

No decision on the ship's name has been made so far; it currently operates under the acronym PANG – Porte avion de nouvelle generation (Aircraft carrier of a new generation). The expert said that PANG will be able to carry over 30 Rafalis. Like its predecessor, it will be nuclear powered.

Almost 1,000 are stationed in the United Arab Emirates. French soldiers. On Sundays, chefs from the Élysée Palace will prepare Christmas dishes for them, including: chicken in morel sauce and Buche de Noel – a traditional cake in the shape of a piece of wood (log), eaten during Christmas. Macron, who heads the armed forces, will celebrate with the soldiers. The President of France celebrates his 49th birthday on Sunday, December 21. (PAP)

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